Measles is highly infectious and spread through the air when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes. You don't have to be in close contact with someone to contract the infection. You could spend just a few minutes in the same room as someone and get it, though, the closer the contact, the higher the risk.

This virus can survive in closed areas (e.g. a bathroom) for up to two hours after an infected person with measles was there. So people who are in the same air space during this two hour period can become infected. It can also be spread through sharing food, drinks or cigarettes or kissing a person with measles.

An infected person can spread measles before knowing they have been infected. People are infectious to others from four days before to four days after the onset of rash.

Fever
Red eyes, which may be sensitive to light
Cough
A runny nose
Rash

Measles can cause encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, which can lead to seizures, deafness, or brain damage. One person in every 3,000 with measles may die from complications. Complications and death are most common in infants less than 12 months of age and in adults.

Complications of measles can include:

• Ear infections (1 in 10 cases)

• Diarrhea (8 in 100 cases)

• Pneumonia (1 in 10 cases)
  

• Hospital stay (1 to 2 in 10 cases)

• Encephalitis (1 in every 1,000 cases)

Measles is a serious illness with no specific treatment, but most people recover within a week or two.

If you have measles:

• Drink plenty of fluids such as water, juice and soup, especially if you have a fever.

• Get plenty of rest.

• Stay away from other people as much as you can so that you don't spread the disease.

• If your child has measles, keep him or her out of school and activities until at least 4 days after the rash first appeared. Keep your child out longer if he or she is not feeling well.

• Your doctor may suggest vitamin A supplements for your child.
  

If you have a fever and rash you should isolate yourself by staying home and visit your doctor. Before going, call your doctor's office so that they can take precautions to protect other patients.

If you think you have measles, please call VCH Public Health at 1 (855) 675-3900 during regular business hours, and ask for the nurse on call, to report your illness.

The measles vaccination is available free of charge at VCH public health units. You can also get vaccinated at some physician offices and pharmacies, where those without BC health care coverage may be charged a fee.

List of Community Health Centres: http://www.vch.ca/your-care/regular-medical-care